Pre-Sealing Cement Tile: An Important Step

By Arpi Nalbandian, Tileometry

How to Apply a Grout Release - Cement Tile Install Tips

When you see a finished cement tile installation (or any tile installation), it's hard to visualize just how bad it looked when grout was first applied. The only way to get grout into the joints is by spreading it with a tile trowel. With glazed ceramic tile, grout removal and clean-up can be difficult. The task becomes more arduous when a porous material, such as cement tile, needs to be cleaned up. That's where pre-sealing comes in.

Handmade cement tile offers a range of design possibilities for any commercial, hospitality, or retail space.

The benefit of a pre-sealer, or "grout release" product, is to make sure the grout can be easily removed after spreading it onto the tile and into the joints. By applying a grout release prior to installing the tile, you get the added benefit of inspecting each tile, as well as the opportunity to cull any tile that might be damaged or off-color prior to the actual installation.

While preparing to pre-seal your cement tile, take the opportunity to inspect each tile.

Handmade cement tile offers a range of design possibilities - bold Cuban tile patterns in contrasting colors, or classic cement patterns in harmonizing colors. Whether used as floor tile or wall tile, the result will transform any space. We've assembled dozens of images filled with cement tile design ideas to help you get started on your next project.

To learn more about cement tile and to see how a pre-sealer is applied, watch our latest video, How to Apply a Grout Release - Cement Tile Install Tips. This short video shows how to apply grout release to cement tiles in an easy-to-understand format. Making time for this additional step will protect your tile from the hazards of even the most skilled of installers, while making sure the grout is easily removed.

In the coming months, we'll provide more tips on how to successfully install cement tiles. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, for more information about cement tile selection, installation tips, customization services, or available sizes, shapes and more, please see our new Guide to Buying Handmade Cement Tile.

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Designing with Tile

"Design is the method of putting form and content together. Design, just as art, has multiple definitions; there is no single definition. Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated." — Paul Rand

Once a building has been erected, or is in the process of an overhaul, it's up to the designers to translate and transform the vision of the commercial, retail or hospitality space into a sensory-pleasing experience. Whether it's a grand lobby, a spectacular lounge or bar area, or even the common areas such as hallways and corridors, the designer is tasked with giving these spaces character and interest.

Therefore, it's no surprise that tile is the perfect component in making these visions come to life, specifically, cement tile. With cement tile, these spaces are given a historic feel from a material that has been used for centuries, with the added benefit of being able to customize patterns and colors.

Saltillo tiles also fall into the same timeless category as cement tiles. Because of their deep, rich hues, Saltillo tiles have the ability of transporting us to the colorful, refined grandeur of sun-kissed Spanish villas and haciendas of the Mediterranean.

With their inherit versatility and durability, it's for these reasons that designers and specifiers overwhelmingly choose the always stylish looks of handmade cement tiles and Saltillo tiles.

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Cement Tile Border Pattern Creates Charming Patio

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

Cement tiles naturally create an Old World ambiance with their traditional patterns and color variations that occur from being a hand-crafted product. For this Italian restaurant, using cement tiles was an obvious choice not only for their time-tested durability, but also for their effortless ability in helping to create a quaint, yet sophisticated, atmosphere.

This Italian restaurant uses a cement tile border pattern in rows to create charm.

The cement tile rugs for this commercial installation feature rows, or "stripes of pattern," using our Yuna border pattern. While there may not be anything inherently Italian about the pattern, the choice of color and rich detailing create a look from another era.

For a different take on the cement tile rug, consider using border patterns laid in rows.

Using only border patterns, create a cement tile rug by laying the border pattern in rows next to one another. You'll notice the motif changes drastically, depending on whether you're looking at the "stripes" straight-on or at an angle. This effect is great at grabbing the attention of passersby, and we're told, it has also helped pull curious and hungry customers into the restaurant.

A cement tile border pattern can be used to create a rug.

The pattern's motif appears to change based on the angle you are viewing it from.

The changes in the pattern create eye-catching appeal and interest.

The flexibility of cement tile in design is amazing. Notice how well this motif works with the Roman columns and marble architectural details around the windows? Thanks to the pattern and classic color choices used in this bistro project, these cement tiles have effortlessly created an outdoor dining patio and entry reminiscent of an Italian hillside eatery.

DESIGN TIP - Using only border patterns, you can create a cement tile rug by laying the border pattern in rows next to one another. You'll notice the motif will noticeably change, depending on whether you're looking at the "stripes" straight-on or at an angle.

If you'd like to see more photos from this commercial installation, then please view the slideshow below, or click to view Yuna Border Makes a Striking Floor.



With all of the color and pattern customization options available, it's easy to see why cement tiles are a designer's dream. If you are a hospitality, restaurant, or commercial design professional, then handmade cement tile is the Design Line that can work for you! Don't hesitate to contact us. We have the extensive knowledge and skill needed to make your vision come to life. But, don't take our word for it, take a look at these cement tile commercial installations.

See More Cement Tile Commercial Design Ideas

Designing with Cement Tile: Shapes, Sizes, Formats

Exercise your creativity with handmade cement tile!

Last month, we reviewed the time-tested quality manufacturing processes and techniques utilized in producing handmade cement tile. In this third installation, we’ll take a look at the various sizes, shapes and formats available with cement tiles.

As you can see in the chart below, handmade cement tiles not only offer beauty and dimension, they also offer flexibility in design with patterns, reliefs and moldings, and solid color cement tiles. Also, because cement tile is a handmade product, it’s further possible to exercise your creativity with Cement Tile Customization Services.

Shapes, Sizes and Formats of Cement Tile: This chart includes patterned cement tile, relief and molding cement tile, and solid color cement tiles.

To further extend the design capabilities available with cement tile, Rustic Cement Tile Pavers and Arabesque Cement Tiles are also available to transform both indoor and outdoor spaces.

First, let’s take a look at Rustic Cement Tile Pavers with their rich appearance of classic clay bisque tiles - similar to those that have been used in Spain, the Mediterranean, and northern Africa for centuries. With these pavers, you get the benefit of cement in its durability and strength, coupled with a broader color palette, as well as sizes and shapes that can be adapted to any décor and environment.

Rustic Cement Tile Pavers manufactured from cement rather than clay offer increased durability, while the extensive color palette adds to their versatility.

Arabesque Cement Tiles pay homage to the deeply rooted and rich heritage of traditional Moorish and Spanish tiles. With their interlaced geometric patterns, each hand-crafted tile features nuanced curves and classic shapes – enhancing any setting where they are used.

Arabesque Cement Tile Pavers combine the strength of cement with the timeless shapes and formats of Moorish and Spanish design elements.

Handmade cement tile offers a range of design possibilities. Whether you choose to use bold Cuban tile patterns in contrasting colors, classic cement patterns in harmonizing colors, or decide on the Rustic or Arabesque Cement Tile Pavers, the final result is guaranteed to transform any space from drab to fab!

Further, for added inspiration, make sure to download Avente Tile’s newly published Guide to Buying Handmade Cement Tile, a 14-page reference tool with easy-to-read information, vivid examples of cement tile installations, FAQs, and more!

Of course, everyone at Avente Tile is well-versed and experienced in answering any possible question you may have. Therefore, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888.739.4972; or email: info@AventeTile.com.

Cement Tile Quality Expectations in Custom Design

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

To help gain perspective and set realistic expectations of handmade tile, I often say artisan tiles are like the strokes of an Impressionist painting or hand woven rug. When you closely look at the stroke or weave, you will see color variation and the design motif itself may not be perceptible or clear. Step back though and the blended imperfection of the artist's hand creates a stunning work of art.

Sunset in Venice by Claude Monet
Image Credit

Our modern-day world has created an affinity for perfection. We are so used to seeing everything crafted to such tight tolerances that glossy productions are de reguer. One of the most common questions I hear when people receive their first sample or order is that the "The cement tile is not perfect" in some way.

Handmade Cement Tile will have slight imperfections.

We want our installation to look like that bistro in Paris or Hacienda in the Yucatan. The truth is that the imperfections are there; but, the beauty of the pattern and variation in color allow your eye to see the same thing you see when you look at a Monet or Seurat.

The beauty of cement tile is in the variation and slight imperfections.

I do enjoy sharing this journey of discovery with folks unfamiliar with cement tile, or encaustic cement tiles as they are often called. I've been working with a customer in Denver on a design. She discovered our Cuban Heritage Design CH110-2B pattern and while she liked the colorway, it just wasn't right for her. I explained that the colors for that pattern are easily changed using any color from the Heritage Color Palette. However, this process takes time – we are talking design here. The best place to start is with color chips so you can create a cohesive design and really see the colors. A few weeks after receiving her chips, she had found the right colors and had us create several renderings to see what worked best.

A sample of one rendering that Avente provided using the customer's color choices.

Color substitution are never easy; but, I was impressed with the colors she selected and loved the different choices. This design-inspired Denver homeowner found the renderings the ideal way to find what worked best and ordered strike-offs or sample tiles of the rendering that she like best.

This is a story, of how a project should go! And, I felt thrilled that each step of the process helped quickly guide the homeowner to make a decision they loved. Three weeks after the samples arrived, I received this email:

Hi Bill,

We received our strike-off samples. As expected we love the design and are so pleased with the color combination! Given the tiles are handmade, we did expect some slight variation from tile to tile – minor blemishes or color bleeding, lines not matching up perfectly.

Photo of customer's strike-off with slight color variation and line widths.

However, can you comment regarding this particular tile (see below)? Is it representative of the typical quality we should expect? We are concerned.

Pattern lines on tiles should be crisp.

I can see why she was concerned. In my efforts to set reasonable expectations for a hand made tile, I had neglected to explain that strike-offs samples may not always have the most crisp pattern lines because it takes time to get the metal mold to settle and work with the frame.

Here's my reply:

Dear Denver,

I think your expectations for cement tile are correct – which means I've done my job. The variation in color and slight imperfections you find in the first set of images are to be expected. The blurred pattern and edges in the second set of images (with red circles) should not be expected in the full order.

The primary goal with strike-offs is to confirm color acceptance for the pattern. The problems you see in the second set of images occur in strike-offs because we can’t make enough tiles and fine-tune the process that allows the mold to settle.

I hope you have enjoyed understanding how the hand of the artist creates a unique look in cement tile and the importance of quality in custom design. Never stop asking questions because they provide the clarity to ensure you are buying a top-notch product. If you enjoyed today's post on custom cement tile design and what makes a high quality tile, you might also enjoy our Avente Tile’s Guide to Buying Handmade Cement Tile to learn more about this amazing product.

Of course, all of us at Avente Tile are here to help you with your cement tile questions, design solutions or technical questions. Feel free to post a question here and don’t hesitate to call us at 888.739.4972; or email: info@aventetile.com.

Finding the Right Cement Tile Adds Personalized Touch

Meet Mark & Erin C from central New York and their recently remodeled kitchen. What a great space and design!

They have been on quite a journey to get here. It's hard to believe, especially when you see where they started. Here's Mark and Erin's kitchen before remodeling.

It was due for a little updating, wouldn't you say?

I was fortunate to join them on a small part of this journey. I had the pleasure to work with Mark. Avente provided both the design services and ultimately created the custom cement tile you see here!

Serendipity can be a wonderful thing. Mark kindly shared all of the photos of their kitchen you see here. He also provided a great summary of how they decided on this tile design, the decisions he and Erin struggled with to make, and the custom design process of cement tiles. It's a great story and thank you, Mark, for allowing me to share it with our readers today.

I asked Mark, "How did you find this cement tile pattern, and why did you decide to work with Avente?" Here's his reply.

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Finding the Right Tile

We explored different avenues locally and online. We basically worked with the design we saw in a design-oriented magazine, Traditional Home. My wife saw it in a featured home's kitchen and said, "I want this!"

This clipping from Traditional Home magazine featured reclaimed cement tile and was the inspiration for Mark and Erin's design.

As with many design magazines, they list the designer or manufacturer of the elements in the room being featured. Of course, the cement tiles we loved, were reclaimed 19th century tiles. Not like they were still in production. We investigated local options to no avail. Online searches led us to several different sources. Some were simply vendors of reclaimed tile, flavor of the week, and when they're gone, they're gone. Some had designs that were close, but just didn't offer exactly what we wanted. Some would replicate the design by simply transferring our design onto porcelain tile. The cost was excessive and in our mind, the integrity of the product, structurally and philosophically, would forever remain suspect. A cop out, if you will.

Ultimately, we found Avente Tile. Avente's tile's were delightful and flexible, while maintaining an integrity beneath the face of the tile. They offered similar designs with color customization options. I called and spoke with you. After deciding the cement tiles would offer the hardy, stout, handmade look we desired, we focused on the design itself. The Traditional Bayahibe pattern was so close to what we had in mind that we decided to try to make it work. We ordered the Heritage Color Chip Set and chose our colors. It was a more expensive option. Once I'd crossed THAT threshold, I made the executive decision to just go for it and have custom tiles made. We would focus on doing it right, getting exactly what we wanted. No compromises.

It was a tough pill to swallow, spending the money for custom tiles, but the end result and focal point of our vision will never be regretted. Worth every penny to get it right!

I spoke with you frequently and the process took flight. I'd say it was three months total. From the time we said "yes," it took almost the exact time frame as predicted. It tool a week or two for the design and coloration, probably four weeks until we had a hard sample, and four to six weeks until they were delivered. There were no mysteries or overages involved in the cost. Your estimate was correct, to the penny.

Our contractor raised an eyebrow when he saw them, but by the end of the installation, he was a believer. The proof is in the finished product. There is an ultimate satisfaction in knowing these tiles are handmade, just for us, to our specifications. They incorporated so well with he preexisting brick, it's like it was meant to be.

Seeing the smile on my wife's face when she says "I LOVE my new kitchen," is priceless. Don't regret it for a second.

It's been great fun, and being featured is a nice compliment.

Thanks for your participation and guidance!

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I'm so glad I could help, Mark and Erin. Custom jobs are always fun. This job went smoothly because you both had realistic expectations and a clear sense of what you wanted. It was a joy working with you and nothing makes me happier than knowing you will be enjoying the tiles and your new kitchen. Great job!

Great Choices Make a Great Kitchen

Smart choices in appliances making cooking and clean-up easy and fast. Combine that with stylish surface coverings and the kitchen can easily be your favorite room and cooking becomes a joy. The kitchen can be the place to entertain guests and relax after a long week at work. Here's Mark & Erin's choices for making a kitchen great!

The cabinets are by Medallion. The style is Rushmore in maple wood with a ginger snap finish and paired with handmade pulls by Artesano Iron Works. Nice touch!

For the appliances, they decided on a Thermador 36" Professional Series Convection Gas Range with a custom vent hood by Faber. A Thermador microwave and a Thermador Emerald Series Dishwasher with matching cabinet facing provides good looks with function.

The countertops are "black titanium" granite. The flooring is Vallano in caramel. It's a porcelain tile with the look of lightly weathered stone.

Mark points out that, "Of course, the star attraction... custom cement tiles by Avente Tile for our backsplash." And, how could I possibly disagree?

Cement Tile Projects from Avente Customers

If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy these Tile Talk articles that show how Avente customer's have used cement tiles in their homes. These posts will show you how cement tile can be used on floors and kitchen backsplashes. You'll also discover the decisions, trials and tribulations that each customer experienced as part of the project. I thank these customers for taking time to share these tips and ideas.

• A Cement Tile Kitchen Backsplash Makes a Chelsea Remodel
• Cuban Tiles Make Eye-Catching Kitchen Backsplash
• A Customer Shares Their Cuban Tile Installation
• Cuban Heritage Cement Tiles featured in This Old House

Ceramic Tile Projects from Avente Customers

Our customers have also used our hand-painted ceramic tiles to add style and a personal touch to their home. Here are a few posts devoted to tile floor accents and kitchen backsplashes using our hand-painted ceramic tiles.

• Leaf Imprint Tile Backsplash from a Reader
• Leaf Imprint Tiles Make the Kitchen Backsplash
• Portuguese Tiles for a Residential Kitchen Retrofit

What pattern and colors would you choose for a custom cement tile? Where would you use the cement tile, on the floor, or for a backsplash? In three weeks, I'll explore the custom cement tile design process in detail. You'll see examples of pattern development, color choice, and the manufacturing steps from Erin and Mark's design.